How to Sheet Rock Walls

You can sheet rock your wall like a professional.

Hanging your own sheet rock to cover a wall is something that the average homeowner can accomplish. Sheet rock is a gypsum wallboard product made by United States Gypsum Company. Because each sheet weighs about 40 pounds, they can be awkward to handle. If you are attempting to do this project, try to round up someone to help you. This will help make the job easier and prevent the corners from being damaged while you are moving or hanging the sheet rock on the wall.

Things You'll Need

• Safety glasses
• Respirator
• Plastic
• Staple gun
• Tape measure
• Drill
• Sheet rock screws
• Razor knife

Instructions

1. Measure the wall, then calculate how much sheet rock you will need for your project. Sheet rock comes in 4 x 8, 4 x 10 and 4 x 12 foot sections. If you are unsure of your calculations, take the wall measurements to the store with you, and hand them to the salesman. He will make sure that you have enough to cover the walls with some extra in case you make a mistake in cutting the sheet rock.

2. Install a sheet of plastic over the wall for a vapor barrier. Staple the plastic sheets on the framing that covers the insulation.

3. Mark the locations of the studs. Place a small mark on the floor or ceiling so you can find them when you hang the sheet rock.

4. Hang the sheet rock perpendicular to the run of the studs. Butt it up to the ceiling. Have someone help you hold the sheet rock up to the wall.

5. Secure the sheet rock into the studs with sheet rock screws. Leave the heads of the screws flush with the surface of your sheet rock. Along the top, space two screws horizontally, 2 inches apart on the studs.

6. Drive screws along the perimeter of the sheet rock at 3/8 of an inch from the edge of the sheet rock. Along the portion of sheet rock that runs along the wall, space the screws 7 inches apart. Space all other screws 12 inches apart on the studs. Continue covering the wall with pieces of sheet rock.

7. Measure and cut any pieces of sheet rock with a sharp razor knife to fit around windows or electrical outlets. You will need to cut sheet rock if the panel lengths are not long enough to cover your walls from ceiling to floor with one sheet. Lay a straightedge along the line, and score the paper face with your razor knife. Apply pressure on the backside of the cut line, and snap the piece off to the length you need.

8. Clean up the edge with a small rasp made to smooth the edges of your sheet rock.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear safety glasses while working with sheet rock.

• Sheet rock is dusty, especially when cutting it, so wear a respirator while cutting and installing the sheet rock to the wall.

References

• Ask The Builder: How to Drywall
• Drywall How To: Drywall How To Manual
• Ask The Builder: Installing Drywall
• Vertri: Sheetrock/Drywall Installation on Walls